Each weekday of Intensive begins and ends with Chapel, and at 5:15 pm Chapel we share in Communion. Once the words of Institution and prayers are said and the bread broken and wine (juice) poured, we form a circle to receive communion. After communion is received, we join hands and sing one closing song before greeting each other with the Peace of Christ. Tonight we sang: "Let us live in justice, love in mercy, dwell in God with a humble heart." Each time the humble chorus is repeated, the intensity, power, and volume seems to build until I half expect the chapel roof to split open! And I always (always) cry - tears of joy, tears for the beauty of community, tears of hope that what we experience here can somehow be nurtured in our parishes - that this incredible power can bring transformation to our world.
The beauty and power of community is unbelievable. I watch, utterly amazed, at how in this crucible of worship, study and practice we quickly form community. This community is shaped by a covenant of conduct, shared expectations and commitments - and shared experiences. We pray and worship together, we share some meals together, we learn, struggle and are stretched (almost to the breaking point) together. We laugh together (often), and support one another without trying to fix, enable, or manage one another. Sometimes we disagree (strongly), but use our mutual respect and community covenant to help us express big feelings in a constructive way. Although we come from extremely diverse backgrounds, cultures and theologies, we find a bond of unity that is strong and life-giving.
We become the Body of Christ.
The power of this experience sometimes takes my breath away. I am awed by it - and wonder about what will happen as each of us try to bring some of this back to our churches and communities.
What does it take to facilitate the formation of deep community in our local congregations? What type of crucible helps to form this kind of community within a local church? I think this is the missing element in so many church experiences today - not a clash over technology in worship vs. no technology in worship, or contemporary vs traditional worship experiences, but a strong experience of community vs. a weak or no experience of community. And with no sense of community, there is no desire for further involvement or investment. Church becomes just another organization that does good things, and has pretty meetings on Sunday morning.
We come to Chapel each day during Intensive not only to worship God, but to be there for our sisters and brothers - to be community. The same is true for shared meals, supporting one another in lecture or small group, or just being the best listener we can be - we bring this for one another, because we are the Body of Christ in this place, and try bring Christ to each other.
What does it take to invite the experience of community that transforms lives and churches?
I expect to ponder that question for the rest of my time here at SFTS.
*****
An quick aside - since moments of humor are absolutely necessary when attending an Intensive and living with big questions -
Best Business Name in San Anselmo: Peace, Love & Grilled Cheeses - A Hair Salon
(gotta love California)!
Pondering all of this - while being held in community, and remembering to laugh,
Kim
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